Minky Posted November 19, 2008 Share Posted November 19, 2008 Hi Guys, Need some tips and tricks to break a feather plucking habit. My little Maude has a wonkey leg so can't get about too well, and my other two girls have taken to plucking at her as she can't get away. Hilda is the ring leader (in fact she even pulls her own tummy feathers out when on the nest), and when Enid sees her doing it she copies. I have large bumper bits on both Hilda and Enid (ie not the wee ring ones, the big triangular ones), and tho it seems to stop Enid, Hilda can still manage to do it with the guard on. I addition I have squirted Maude with vinegar and tea tree to put Hilda off but it doesn't seem to work. Any effective hints and tips I can try, as poor Maude needs her feathers now it's getting colder! Thanks in advance x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoice Posted November 19, 2008 Share Posted November 19, 2008 Ukadex may be the answer. It reeks. It clings to your hair and clothes too so you'll need a shower and to put your old clothes and gloves in the wash afterwards. On the plus side it seemed to work with my girls, no-one went near Babs' botty after getting a whiff of her (Including me for a while ). Inside their house smelt quite strong too. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pistachio Posted November 19, 2008 Share Posted November 19, 2008 I'm using Ukadex. I get the impression that you sometimes have to be pretty persistent. I would advise old clothes and a gloves. its a bit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoice Posted November 19, 2008 Share Posted November 19, 2008 I wonder if a chicken saddle would help if they are being pecked on their backs? I've never tried it. I'd repeatedly apply ukadex until you notice an improvement. Have you considered isolating the offender for a few days to 'snap her out of it' or hanging up a cabbage or corn cob as a distraction? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minky Posted November 19, 2008 Author Share Posted November 19, 2008 They have lots of hanging treats, toys and freerange alot of the time so I'm pretty confident it's not boredom. I've just ordered proper peck spray as suggested, so will try that. It's not really the back that get's done, it's usually tailfeathers and chest (Maude is a wee bit moulty in those spots atm which doesn't help). Poor Maude - bald and smelly! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom123 Posted November 19, 2008 Share Posted November 19, 2008 A much cheaper option instead of Ukadex is Deodarant! I cant remember where i read it but it has worked a treat for one of my girls. Spray a bit on the pecked area and even though the bullies will still peck slightly they hate the taste, they shake their heads and wipe their beaks on the floor! Hope it helps Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pistachio Posted November 19, 2008 Share Posted November 19, 2008 tom 123 - I've read everything about chicken pecking and I've never heard this one. I know some teachers ban Lynx in their classroom because it's so overpoweringly awful so maybe it's the same for chooks. ha ha ha - it's funny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted November 19, 2008 Share Posted November 19, 2008 Tom... what brand, mine didn't bat an eye at UKADEX! are they the onlty chooks in the world that don't mind it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom123 Posted November 19, 2008 Share Posted November 19, 2008 Thats what I thought! My teacher always tells me off if i spray it after P.E! Dont know but it worked for me! Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom123 Posted November 19, 2008 Share Posted November 19, 2008 Sandy...I nicked my dads 'Rightguard 24hr protection'!!! More like 24hr PECK protection Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted November 19, 2008 Share Posted November 19, 2008 Tom... so it was Lynx Not too sure which is worse Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom123 Posted November 19, 2008 Share Posted November 19, 2008 Nooooo...Rightguard! Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted November 19, 2008 Share Posted November 19, 2008 sorry our posts crossed, off to buy Rightguard in the morning. thanks for the tip Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom123 Posted November 19, 2008 Share Posted November 19, 2008 O right dont worry Good Good Remember...RIGHTGUARD Let me no how it goes Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted November 19, 2008 Share Posted November 19, 2008 A much cheaper option instead of Ukadex is Deodarant! I cant remember where i read it but it has worked a treat for one of my girls. Spray a bit on the pecked area and even though the bullies will still peck slightly they hate the taste, they shake their heads and wipe their beaks on the floor! Hope it helps Tom That is a new one. I heard of someone using kitchen cleaner as she was desperate and had nothing else to hand and the hens reacted in the same way. I'd be a bit worried about the toxicity of it tbh. My friend, who has kept hens for years swears by Vicks Vaporub. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweety Posted November 19, 2008 Share Posted November 19, 2008 I have tried Stockholm Tar, Ukadex and purple spray with aloe vera - and the only one which had any effect was the purple spray. Huge sighs of relief all round as it meant that I didn't have to use the Ukadex again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
